Actor John C. Riley milled about prior to the Sundance Awards ceremony, chatting here with director Georgina Garcia Riedel and producer Alexis Garcia of dramatic competition film, "How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer."

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh was one of the presenters on stage Saturday night in the packed (and very warm) auditorium at the Racquet Club in Park City. This year's format was more relaxed in year's past because the ceremony was presented sans live broadcast. Everyone (that we spoke to at least) liked the chill presentation (although iPOP missed seeing Jake Gyllenhaal, who co-hosted last year).

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

"Hustle & Flow" director Craig Brewer celebrated his American Dramatic Audience Award win with his cinematographer, Amy Vincent, who was awarded the American Excellence in Cinematography Award in the dramatic category.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Holding up the big prize, "Forty Shades of Blue" director Ira Sachs looks around as he poses with his plaque. Sachs took the coveted Sundance American Dramatic Grand Jury Prize. Cheers!

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The Sundance crew congratulated each other for another show well-done (and then we asked for a pic). Left to right are John Cooper, director of programming, Jill Miller, managing director, and Geoffrey Gilmore, director of the Sundance Film Festival.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Press and well-wishers jumped on stage to congratulate the winners after the ceremony ended, causing a bit of a friendly mayhem, adding to the relaxed atmosphere of the awards. "The Squid and the Whale" writer/director Noah Baumbach (left) took two prizes, the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and the dramatic directing award. Eugene Jarecki (right) took the American Documentary Grand Jury Prize for his film, "Why We Fight." Well Done gentlemen!!

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Director/actor/producer John Cameron Mitchell ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch") milled about the Homos Away from Home party at the Queer Lounge before his spinning gig on stage. Among those he chatted with was Warner Independent Pictures' Paul Federbush (left). Moments earlier, Mitchell walked iW into the party (we were stuck in a slow moving queue to get inside).

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Publicist actor Mickey Cottrell (left) explains all the Dos and Dont's of the annual Homos Away from Home party at the Queer Lounge in Park City (they're mostly Dos though) to Charles Pugliese of Killer Films. The event was Cottrell's 13th time, and Charles' first. The Queer Lounge has become quite a scene at Sundance, hosting straights and gays alike to some pretty big parties.

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"Junebug" was a project often discussed during the holidays, so said the film's director Phil Morrison (second from right). Pictured left to right (with their million dollar smiles) are: Amy Adams, Angus MacLachlan (screenwriter), Ben McKenzie, Embeth Davidtz, Phil Morrison and Celia Weston. The film is screening in the Sundance dramatic competition.

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Prior to the screening of their film earlier in the week, "Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story (in the doc competition section) Left to right: Director Dan Klores, Benny Paret, Jr. (son of Benny "The Kid" Paret, who died after a bout with Emile Griffith to retain his World Championship title), multiple-time Middleweight World Champion Gene Fullmer, and director Ron Berger.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

"Hustle & Flow" director Craig Brewer got the audience to sing "Proud Mary" prior to the screening of his film on Wednesday afternoon at the Eccles in Park City. The film got rapturous applause afterward.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Actor/director Crispin Glover hung out at the Sundance Filmmakers' Press Reception on Main Street Wednesday afternoon. iW stopped in between deadlines for a "drive-by" and we were lucky enough to get a quickie with Glover. He is at Sundance for his film, "What Is It?" which he directed and stars in. The film is playing in the fest's Park City at Midnight section.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Pat Kaufman, head of the New York State Governor's Office for Film and Television Development (left) with lawyer Steven Beer of Greenberg Traurig before the onslaught of partiers at a Huge (and we do mean plush) condo way up in the mountains above Park City for "New York's Sundance Party" hosted by Kaufman's office. Later in the evening, the snow came down, and getting back to Park City became another adventure altogether.

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Actor Adrien Grenier on Main Street Thursday between takes of "Entourage," the HBO Original Series, which is being filmed in Park City to capitalize on all the film frenzy atmosphere that's out and about.

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"I don't want to be a filmmaker that makes the same goddamn movie all the time," said Gregg Araki Thursday to iW. "But I do feel personally close to all my movies." Araki (second from left) posed with star Joseph Gordon-Levitt (left), Michelle Trachtenberg, "Mysterious Skin" author Scott Heim, Jeff Licon, Brady Corbet, and Elizabeth Shue.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Former Jane's Addiction front-man, Perry Farrell did a DJ gig at the big GenArt/Gersh Agency bash way the hell up there in the mountains at a palatial lodge. Hipsters lined up for entrance to the popular party.

Photo by Scott Addison Clay

Hanging out in front of the Library in Park City either before or after a screening, actor Stephen Dorff gets in a chat with Palm Pictures head of acquisitions and production, David Koh.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Outside the Eccles Theater under the bright Utah sun after the screening of their film, "Pretty Persuasion" before getting into their cars for more publicity appts. Left to right: Adi Schnall, Evan Rachel Wood, Skander Halim (writer), Elisabeth Harnois, Marcos Siega (director), James Woods, Jane Krakowski, and Carl Levin (Producer).

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

The weekend parties on Main Street were an exercise in name-dropping/queue cutting/bitch-slapping. One of the few exceptions, however, was the "Shake Hands with the Devil"/Canadian party. Basically, open bar, cool people to talk to, and places to sit. Among those sippin' cocktails were Sundance Channel's new executive vice president, programming and marketing, Laura Michalchyshyn and Toronto International Film Festival co-director, Noah Cowan.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Jenny McCarthy caused quite a stir one early morning on Main Street as she did a taped interview, getting the attention of a swarm of photographers (we couldn't resist). McCarthy stars in "Dirty Love," screening in the Park City at Midnight section, which is apparently hilarious, according to people we've chatted up (dir. John Asher).

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Roger Ebert apparently got the pitch by one lucky filmmaker who stopped the critic on Park Avenue in Park City one sunny afternoon. Someone also took pictures -- as did iPOP from our passing car.

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Sundance doc competition film, "After Innocence" apparently received a standing ovation after their first screening earlier this week. The crew, including the film's subjects, attended a brunch afterward where this pic was snapped. The film takes a look at people who were exonerated through DNA testing.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt got caught with his eyes in the headlights while making his way through the crowd at the Cinetic party. The very friendly actor stars in two Sundance films this year including Rian Johnson's "Brick" (Dramatic Competition) and Gregg Araki's "Mysterious Skin" (Premieres section).

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Cinetic/Sloss Law chief John Sloss (left) at the party for his company Sunday night at Zoom. The party always attracts quite a crowd, including this year, although many waited awhile to get in the event. With Sloss is "The Puffy Chair" writer/co-director/star, Mark Duplass (co-directed by Jay Duplass). The film premiered at Sundance Wednesday.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

"This Revolution" director Stephen Marshall and star Amy Redford at Zoom at the Cinetic party. The film, which is screening in the Sundance American Spectrum section, is described in the Sundance catalog as an "unabashed provocation, an in-your-face diatribe..."

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Get ready for the Spring Festivals! SXSW Film Festival director Matt Dentler (right) is always an iPOP fav, and here is his obligatory festival pic. Matt hung out with San Francisco International Film Festival chief Roxanne Captor, the Florida Film Festival's Matthew Curtis and SXSW's Jarod Neece at the New Line/Fine Line party at Zoom Monday afternoon, one of the most pleasant of the long litany of Sundance parties.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Sundance vet Jenni Olson returned to the festival this year with her first feature, "The Joy of Life," an ode to her hometown, San Francisco, screening in the Frontier section. iPOP caught her at the Gateway Center Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Actress Catherine Keener leans in to get a pic with IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring Monday night at the IFC party. Keener is at Sundance for her role in Rebecca Miller's "The Ballad of Jack and Rose," which is a Premiere.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Director Miranda July ("Me and You and Everyone We Know," Dramatic Competition) took refuge on a bench with Brad Henke, who appears in her film, from the packed crowds Monday night at Cisero's on Main Street during the IFC party.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Crónicas director Sebastián Cordero (left) joins in on all the fun at the Palm Pictures party Monday night at the Riverhorse on Main Street. Actor John Leguizamo stars in the film, which is screening in Sundance's World Dramatic Competition. Actress Michelle Rodriguez ("Girl Fight"), also attended the party, which drew a large crowd of revellers.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Main Street in Park City on Friday night.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

"Layer Cake" director Matthew Vaughn sat in the VIP section at the party for his film "Layer Cake" at Marquee on Main Street Friday night. Outside, over-zealous doormen kept invitees from coming in.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

British star Jamie Bell ("Billy Elliot") hung out at the "Inside Deep Throat" party with friends in the smaller tent for a large chunk of the evening. Bell is starring in Arie Posin's "The Chumscrubber," screening in the Sundance Premieres section.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

At Sunday night's jam-packed Cinetic Media party at Zoom are "Reel Paradise" director Steve James (right) with his film's subjects, John Pierson and Janet Pierson. Cinetic is selling the film here at Sundance, where it had its world premiere.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Hamptons International Film Festival director Denise Kassell (right) with San Francisco International Film Festival programmer Linda Blackaby show off their winter gear at the "Murderball" party near Main Street Friday afternoon.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

"Saving Face" director Alice Wu is really cool and fun to hang out with, and her producer, Teddy Zee, offered to get people drinks at the bar (only one ounce shots in Utah). Her film, "Saving Face" is screening in American Spectrum.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Sunday morning is a little more easy-going on Main Street in Park City. Sundance Film Festival chief Geoffrey Gilmore (second from right) ran into "9 Songs" director Michael Winterbottom (with sunglasses) as they exited from their shoot with WireImage. "9 Songs" stars Margo Stilley and Kieran O'Brien joined in. The film is screening in the festival's Park City at Midnight section.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Two years ago, it was the Sundance volunteer who took off his clothes at the "Party Monster" party. This year, Go-Go dancers thrusted their stuff clad in Old Glory bikini bottoms for the "Inside Deep Throat" party Friday night in Park City (the room was nicely heated).

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

At the new Racquet Club Theater in Park City, a film reel awaits its moment in the spotlight.

Photo by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE

At the "Murderball" party yesterday at The Spur on Main St. are the stars of Henry Alex-Rubin and Dana Adams Shapiro's competition doc. From left to right, paralympic athletes Keith Cavel, Mark Zupan and Joe Soares.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

At the Queer Lounge at the Gateway Center last night, dancers featured in David LaChapelle's first feature doc "Rize" danced, celebrating the film's raucous Friday afternoon debut.

Photo by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE

Finnish director Pirjo Honkasalo, who has traveled to Sundance for the first time with her documentary portrait of children of war, "The 3 Rooms of Melancholia," said having her picture taken isn't enjoyable -- a common complaint from people used to being behind the camera.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Director Greg Whitely, with his wife, Erin, readies for a press day at the Sundance Festival headquarters at the Marriott, also the site for many a publicist HQ. His film, "New York Dolls" follows the rise, fall, and brief reappearance of New York glam-rock-punk band New York Dolls.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Directors Fenton Bailey (left) and Randy Barbato at the festival headquarters hanging out on Thursday afternoon with a cup of coffee. The pair are at Sundance for their film, "Inside Deep Throat," which screens in the Premieres section.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

"Happy Endings" director Don Roos (not pictured) introduced his cast on the stage of the Eccles in Park City opening night prior to the screening in the packed theater. Lining up before the crowd (and the army of press taking pictures and filming) are left to right: Lisa Kudrow, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Tom Arnold, Sarah Clark, Jesse Bradford, Steve Koogan, Jason Ritter, and Kim Morgan-Green.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Robert Redford is one of those people who can hush a room when he enters. He had the audience laughing, however, when he joked before the "Happy Endings" premiere that he was not "invited to that evening's other 'big' event," in reference to the inaugural balls back East in Washington. Redford praised filmmakers and Sundance's mission in one of his longest openers in a few years.

Photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE

Thursday morning, about ten hours before his new film would open the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, "Happy Endings" director Don Roos was hanging out at Sundance's Marriott HQ.

photo by Brian Brooks/indieWIRE


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What better way to show the start of a film festival than a traditional shot of a staffer hanging a sign or banner. As we checked in at Sundance HQ this morning, staffers decorated the walls with Sundance signage and decor.

photo by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE

Our first sight upon arriving at the Marriott festival HQ is Cameron (center), a friend from back in NYC who got us squared away and checked in with our press passes this morning. Staffers in the various press, guest, filmmaker and industry desks noted that early on day 1, the crowds seemed rather thin, but everyone was awaiting the large wave of guests. [photo by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE]

Driving up Main St. today, we commented that Park City in its pre-fest mode feels like the festival used to "back in the day." A few cars driving up and down the street, people on the sidewalks, but not the mobs that have caused local officials to close streets and erect barricade to guide the herd on the first weekend. We dread Saturday night...

[photo by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE]

[photo by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE]

The indieWIRE crew, Brian Brooks, James Israel and Eugene Hernandez landed in Salt Lake today and headed to Park City to get settled in before the opening of the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday.

[photo by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE]